all questions
7tron7

7tron7 Feb. 22, 2025, 5:25 p.m.

Living car-free in 2025 - practical reality or still impossible outside major cities?

So i've been thinking about selling my car (rising costs, repairs, insurance insanity, etc). I live in what you'd call a "mid-sized" suburb about 30 miles from downtown. Work remotely like 80% of the time, but occasionally need to go to office or client sites. Grocery store is 2 miles away, most other stuff within 5 miles radius.

With all the new transport options and delivery services, is living without a car actually viable now? or still just a fantasy for those in NYC/Chicago/SF? Anyone actually doing this successfully outside major metropolitan areas? What's your setup? Biggest challenges? And be honest - does it actually save money when you factor in all the delivery fees and rideshares?

5)

5) Feb. 22, 2025, 9:08 p.m.

Did this last year in a town of 75k people. Combination of ebike + occasional rideshare works perfectly. Saved almost $8200 first year factoring EVERYTHING in

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Castos

Castos Feb. 23, 2025, 6:39 p.m.

Tried for 3 months in Phoenix suburbs. Complete disaster unless your entire life is within 2 mile radius

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lord mak

lord mak Feb. 24, 2025, 1:30 a.m.

Same experience in Houston. American suburbs designed exclusively for cars. Felt like being under house arrest whenever it rained

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NJCBRR

NJCBRR Feb. 25, 2025, 11:48 a.m.

The secret is cargo e-bike + trailer. Can haul groceries for family of 4 and even get kids to activities. Initial investment hurts but pays for itself by month 5

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astrix

astrix Feb. 27, 2025, 7:51 p.m.

where i live in rural kentucky this question is literally laughable. nearest grocery store 12 miles away. no delivery services exist. no uber. no public transit

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malii

malii March 1, 2025, 3:38 p.m.

Still own car but use maybe 2x monthly now. Subscription model ($30/day when needed) through local dealer - all the benefit none of hassle

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golodog

golodog March 4, 2025, 5:52 p.m.

Car-free since 2019! key point: don't try replacing car trips 1:1 - rethink your entire movement patterns. cluster errands, discover local spots

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Xch

Xch March 7, 2025, 11:03 a.m.

Partner & I sold both cars last July. Biggest unexpected benefit: forced us to plan better instead of spontaneous inefficient trips everywhere

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Nix937

Nix937 March 10, 2025, 10:07 p.m.

Nobody talks about the WEATHER factor. Chicago winter on public transit/bike completely different experience than socal sunshine fantasy

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gembird

gembird March 12, 2025, 12:25 a.m.

Minneapolis biker here. Proper gear solves 90% of weather issues. Studded tires + good layers change everything

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3333

3333 March 14, 2025, 2:56 p.m.

Anyone suggesting ebikes clearly doesn't have elderly parents who need help regularly. Tried biking to their place during emergency once. Never again

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CrazyAbuli

CrazyAbuli March 19, 2025, 2:11 a.m.

Moved from NYC to smaller city last year. Transit map looked adequate online but buses only run once/hour and stop at 8pm. Back to car ownership within weeks

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alex17011955

alex17011955 March 26, 2025, 12:37 p.m.

Our city implemented Complete Streets Policy following Vision Zero framework. Data shows 84% improvement in walkability scores since infrastrutcure redesign began in 2023

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dron - 84r

dron - 84r April 1, 2025, 11:59 p.m.

lol everyone here forgetting that many places still have ZERO safe bike infrastructure. tried biking in my suburb and nearly died twice in one week

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1080

1080 April 5, 2025, 7:28 p.m.

Two-car household → one-car household was our compromise. Husband keeps car for work commute, i use ebike+transit combo for everything else. Perfect balance

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memory

memory April 12, 2025, 9:08 p.m.

actual cost breakdown after 18 months car-free: -monthly transit pass: $85 -bike maintenance: ~$30/month -delivery fees: ~$100/month -occasional rentals: ~$120/month TOTAL: $335/month

Former car expenses: $780/month minimum (payment+insurance+gas+maintenance)

Do the math...

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